When Does Deception Start?

Prayer – Lord, You told Your disciples and us not to be deceived in the end times…but when does that deception start? People can so easily be led astray, even by their own lusts…down the wrong path. I recall a verse about wide and narrow paths. That narrow path leads to You. Is that’s the one I’m on right now? Guide me in the way—Your way—of righteousness—right living that pleases You. 

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, "God is tempting me." God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. James 1:12-16

 

Meditate. Consider God’s intentions—His will. Know God by knowing His scripture.

 

So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Don’t be misled…don’t be deceived. Deception is a sneaky thing—like any evil. It begins in a harmless way and then multiplies. Once it has gotten hold of you it digs in its ugly claws and hangs on getting deeper under your skin and penetrating into your heart and mind. Be careful little eyes what your see. What you let into your body—whether it goes into your eyes, ears or mouth—it becomes part of you. You can see it in the sugary foods you eat that become fat on your hips—but do you see it in subtle iniquitousness of the movies you watch or the books you read? How about the people who are your friends? Do their words influence you?

 

Did you ever have your mouth washed out with soap when you were a kid for saying “bad” words? I did. I didn’t want that to happen again—so I was careful about the words I choose to speak. That was hard for a mouthy kid like me! It was even harder as a teenager when I had a friend who had a truckdriver mouth. It took me years of repeating the Ten Commandments and verses in James about taming the tongue to get my mouth—and thus my mind and heart—focused on bringing glory to the Lord, not taking His name in vain. I had allowed myself to be misled—deceived—just to be liked by someone I admired. When I broke free, I took a turn off that wide road of acceptance by my friend and onto a narrow road of walking with the Lord.

You can enter God's Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Matthew 7:13-14

The Narrow Gate leading into the
Garden of Gethsemane
Jerusalem, Israel

Have you found that narrow gate…the narrow road? Keep looking and ask the Lord to help you. Don’t be deceived…even just a little bit…God won’t tempt you. Only Satan and those defrauded by him will try to pull you out onto that wide path—the easy life. You’ll be tempted even more there…and it leads to a great and everlasting destruction. That’s not just me saying that. Read your Bible. That is what God has been telling people for thousands of years. Listen up. Don’t be misinformed. Keep your eyes and ears open so you know what pleases the Lord, as you build a good relationship with Him. He won’t mislead you. Be careful. When does deception start?

 

Verse of Salvation ~ So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord's kindness. 1 Peter 2:1-3

 

© 2023 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved. 

All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless otherwise noted. 

New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation.

Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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